The Big Hitters Are Back.

You barely noticed the spring training, but once they cut down the rosters to 25 and sang that first National Anthem, well, you knew you were in for a six month joy ride.

They say that the Hartford area is the dividing line between Red Sox and Yankee fans. To the south the Yankees rule and to the north it's the Sawks. Both Mets fans living in Waterbury. No matter. For the next half year, each morning will be another opportunity to ask someone at the water cooler, Dunkin' Donuts or in the bowling league, "hey, did you see that play last night?"

Enjoy. And go Yankees. (Sorry. Had to be done.)

The air got so polluted in Peking earlier this year that the government needed to resort to a huge outdoor TV screen on which they projected a beautiful morning sunrise or evening sunset. Just to remind the folks breathing through two layers of smog face filters of what the sun used to look like

Where Are We?

Had Your HES Yet?    

Connecticut's getting its energy efficient act together and Aiello Home Services is here to help.

Aiello was recently appointed an authorized vendor for Energize Connecticut through the CL&P and UI Home Energy Solutions

program.  This four hour comprehensive review of your home's energy use and efficiency is now available through Aiello

The state-regulated cost is only $75 for homes heated with natural gas or electricity or $99 for homes heated with oil.  

On average Aiello delivers immediate improvements -including caulking, leak repair, insulation of pipes and up to 40 new energy efficient light bulbs - valued at between $750-1,500.

Plus you will get a report that will detail ways to further improve your home's energy efficiency to save you more money in the future.

This very detailed program is currently booking 30 days in advance and you are encouraged to call to schedule your individual home energy audit assessment now for appointments in April. For more information go to http://aielloenergy.com 

Call Today For Your HES Audit:

860 292 2600

Randall Rosenthal is a visionary sculptor. The above was all sculpted out of wood. We know...you can't believe it. Take a look here. (  http://www.randallrosenthal.com/Pages/New%20Pages/whats_new2.htm)

Beginning this month we are sure that you will be hearing a huge amount about the "war to end all wars." This is the centenary of the beginning of World War 1 and in doing a bit of research we came across this extraordinary story of the poet, Wilfred Owen. We were stunned by his poetry, only to be assured by our good friend, John, that he was, indeed, famous for this particular piece. While not completely ashamed, we thought there might be one or two thousand readers who might have been "out" on the day Wilfred Owen was taught in school. As such...we bring you this quite memorable and haunting words.

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?

-Only the monstrous anger of the guns.

Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle

Can patter out their hasty orisons.

No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells,

Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,-

The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;

And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?

Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes

Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.

The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;

Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,

And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

-...If in some smothering dreams you too could pace

Behind the wagon that we flung him in,

And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,

His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;

If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood

Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,

Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud

Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, -

My friend, you would not tell with such high zest

To children ardent for some desperate glory,

The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est

Pro patria mori.

-Wilfred Owen, from "Dulce et Decorum Est" 1917

Shortly His Death One Week Prior to the Armistice that Ended World War I c.1918

Above all I am not concerned with Poetry.

My subject is War, and the pity of War.

The Poetry is in the pity.

Yet these elegies are to this generation in no sense consolatory.  

They may be to the next. All a poet can do today is warn.

-Wilfred Owen, "Draft for a Preface to a Collection of War Poems," 1918, published posthumously.

It's kind of ironic that virtually the only photos that exist of the poet Wilfred Owen are of him in uniform. He was a passionate opponent of war in general, of the banal worship of the "glories" of war and of the patriotism that birthed war. Indeed, he died as a result of the war he was so bitterly critical of, being shot one week before the armistice that ended World War I

Caramelized Pork and Bánh mì  

Serves 4-6

•  1-1.5 pound pork tenderloin
•  3 tablespoons Fish sauce
•  2 tablespoons Maple Syrup
•  1 tablespoon brown sugar
•  2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
•  2 garlic cloves
•  1 slice ginger, minced
•  1 green onion, sliced thinly
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 loaf sweet French baguette (thin) or french bread sandwich rolls. Try to get the kind of French bread with a crisp crust and a lighter center.
• red leaf lettuce
• pickled carrot and radishes (see below)
• sliced jalapeno chilli peppers
• cilantro

• Pâté (optional, but recommended)

    

1. Cut tenderloin across the grain of the meat into
   ½ inch pieces. Flatten each piece to an even ¼ inch between two pieces of saran wrap using a meat pounder, rolling pin, or large bottle.  

    

2. Mix ingredients from fish sauce to black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning - it should be sweet and savory so add more soy, salt, or sesame oil as you like. Add marinade to the meat and use your hands or large spoon to make sure all pieces of meat are coated in marinade. Marinate for 10-30 minutes.    

    

3. You can cook the pork on the grill outdoors (best) or indoors using a grill pan or cast iron pan, something that you can get very hot. Heat grill or grill pan to high and turn on that vent fan! Add vegetable oil to meat and stir to coat. Sear first side of meat until very dark brown on one side, then flip and sear on the second side. One/two minutes on each side.    

    

4. To assemble sandwiches, To assemble sandwiches, slice baguette and spread mayonnaise on one side, pâté on the other. Add lettuce, meat, pickled vegetables, cilantro and peppers. Dig in!    

Pickled Carrots and Radishes

• 1/4 pound baby carrots, peeled

• 1 bunch red radishes, preferably breakfast radishes (daikon are more traditional. I just think red radishes are beautiful.)

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 cup apple cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 2 tablespoons sugar

 

Slice carrots and radishes into quarters (or sixths for thicker guys) lengthwise.

Mix all ingredients together. Taste for seasoning. Let stand as little as an hour or up to overnight. They keep for several days.

   

Now, for the movie...1941...Ball Of Fire 

(OK, yeah, we know, but give it a chance).

 

Gary Cooper and a knock out Barbara Stanwyck.  

  

A group of ivory-tower lexicographers realize they need to hear how real people talk, and end up helping a beautiful singer avoid police and escape from the Mob. Directed by Howard Hawks and written by Charles Bracket, this is a timeless comedy that you will absolutely love. Yes. We're sure. Here's a peek at the trailer.

 

http://bit.ly/1eFvx2s